The key difference between IVF Lite and traditional IVF is the amount of medication used in the simulation protocol. While this may result in fewer eggs collected with each cycle, pregnancy rates are still significantly improved over IUI. Of note, testing of the embryos through Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is not an option for patients using an IVF Lite protocol. 

Individuals and couples who want to reduce their costs associated with IVF, avoid higher doses of fertility medications, or who are looking to reduce the time commitment for their IVF treatment cycle might consider using IVF Lite in place of standard IVF.

Good candidates for IVF Lite include:

• Patients who have been unsuccessful in conceiving with IUI, but want to avoid the high costs of standard IVF
• Patients at high risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
• Patients experiencing tubal factor infertility.
• Patients at greater risk of injection complications.
• Individuals with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) or those who have not responded well to stimulating medications in previous treatment cycles. Your reproductive physician will work with you to find the best possible treatment option to meet your needs.

For those that are good candidates for IVF Lite, the benefits in comparison to a full traditional IVF cycle can include the following:

• IVF Lite requires fewer injections, fewer blood draws and less monitoring, which reduces the number of clinics visits required and lowers patients' costs
• Fewer side effects and less discomfort from fertility medication. In comparison to traditional IVF, IVF Lite typically involves less injection site pain and lower exposure to gonadotropin medications, which may cause symptoms like abdominal discomfort, bloating, and mood swings.
• Decreased likelihood of complications such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a situation where the body overreacts to the hormones stimulating egg production. This causes the ovaries to swell and potential symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
• A comparable option for those who do not respond well to injection protocols and wish to pursue IVF
• Decreased number of excess embryos each cycle, helping to mitigate the need to cryopreserve a considerable number of embryos, as can be the case with traditional IVF.

While both protocols utilize minimal stimulation reducing the amount of medication used, the key difference between IVF Lite and INVOCELL  is where the fertilization and the incubation take place.

In an INVOCELL (IVC) cycle, eggs and sperm are combined in the IVC culture device. The device is then placed in the vagina, allowing for fertilization and incubation to occur. After this incubation period, the IVC device is removed from the body and the quality and quantity of your embryos that have developed are examined.

During an IVF Lite cycle, fertilization of eggs is done through standard insemination or ICSI in our lab and embryo development is monitored throughout the incubation process.

Of note, testing of the embryos through Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is not an option for patients using INVOCELL or IVF Lite. 

At ORM, we currently offer IVF Lite and no longer offer INVOCELL as we found that IVF Lite is a more straightforward process that resulted in greater patient satisfaction.

Both IVF Lite and Mini IVF protocols involve minimal stimulation of the ovaries, reducing the amount of medication used. The key difference between IVF Lite and Mini IVF is the type of medication used and the method with which the ovaries are exposed to FSH.

Mini IVF utilizes oral medication, such as Letrozole or Clomid, to essentially trick the brain into sending more FSH to the ovaries than it typically would during a natural cycle. While IVF Lite employs injectable medication, either Follistim or Gonal-F, introducing the body to additional FSH as opposed to relying on the brain to create more of the hormone. 

Another difference between these two treatments is the use of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to evaluate whether or not the embryos created are chromosomally normal. Mini IVF allows for the embryos to undergo PGT, however, this is not a possibility with IVF Lite.

Both protocols allow for the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) if desired.